Marine Ecology Exam 3 Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in marine ecology.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which energy is incorporated into primary producers through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

The total rate of energy captured by primary producers through photosynthesis.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The rate of energy remaining after accounting for energy used in cellular respiration.

NPP Formula

NPP = GPP – respiration rate.

Light-Dark Bottle Experiment

A method to measure NPP (light bottle) and respiration (dark bottle) in primary productivity.

Oxygen Uptake (Light-Dark Bottle Experiment)

Measures change in oxygen concentration to determine NPP and respiration.

Radiocarbon Technique

Uses ¹⁴C as a tracer to measure CO₂ uptake and carbon assimilation into biomass.

Chlorophyll Concentration

Estimates photosynthetic activity based on chlorophyll levels in seawater.

Satellite/Remote Sensing

Measures ocean color to estimate productivity over large areas.

Euphotic Zone

The upper layer of water where sufficient light penetrates for photosynthesis.

Nutrient Limitation

Occurs in open ocean regions where essential nutrients restrict productivity.

Grazing

Herbivores consuming phytoplankton, potentially reducing standing biomass.

Competition in Autotrophs

Different autotrophs competing for light and nutrients, impacting community structure.

Redfield Ratio

The average ratio of nutrient uptake by marine phytoplankton: 106 C : 16 N : 1 P : 0.0075 Fe.

Limiting Macronutrient

In marine systems, nitrogen (NO₃⁻) is often the limiting macronutrient.

Carbon Cycle Components

Includes solubility pump, carbonate pump, biological pump, and microbial loop.

Biological Pump

Phytoplankton using CO₂ for photosynthesis, passing carbon through the food web.

Sinking Organic Carbon

Important for long-term carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process where N₂ is converted to NH₃/NH₄⁺ by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrification

The conversion of NH₄⁺ to NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ by nitrifying bacteria.

Eutrophication

Rapid algal growth due to excess nutrient input, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus.

Anoxic Dead Zones

Areas where oxygen depletion occurs, leading to mass suffocation of marine life.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains showing multiple feeding relationships.

Grazing Food Web

Energy transfer through the live consumption of organisms, e.g., phytoplankton to zooplankton.

Detrital Food Web

Begins with detritus and involves detritivores that recycle energy back into higher consumers.

Microbial Loop

The pathway where bacteria convert dissolved organic matter (DOM) into usable biomass.

Secondary Productivity

Rate at which consumers incorporate energy through growth and reproduction.

Energy Transfer Efficiency

Measures how efficiently energy is transferred between trophic levels, usually ~10%.

Eltonian Pyramids

Diagrams representing biomass or energy at each trophic level.

Polar Food Webs Characteristics

Simpler structures, with fewer species and shorter growing seasons.

Invasive Species Definition

Non-native species that establishes and spreads, often harming native ecosystems.

Successful Invasion Requirements

Vector for transport, invasion frequency, and ecological suitability.

European Green Crab Impact

Predates on bivalves, has high dispersal and camouflage abilities.

Lionfish Ecological Role

Competes with native predators and has a wide dispersal.

Comb Jelly Impact

Collapses anchovy fisheries by consuming their food in the Black Sea.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Zones established to preserve biodiversity and manage fisheries.

Effective MPAs Characteristics

Large size, long-term protection, good enforcement, and strong regulations.

Fisheries Management Importance

Crucial to ensure sustainable fish populations and prevent collapse.

Bycatch Definition

Unintentional catch of non-target species during fishing.

Bycatch Reduction Strategies

Techniques like Turtle Exclusion Devices and circle hooks to reduce bycatch.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of shared resources causing depletion and economic loss.

Conservation Genetics

Uses genetic markers to identify species and track fish stocks.

Eutrophication Process Steps

Excess nutrients lead to algal blooms that cause hypoxia.

Biological Pump

Process by which carbon is transported through marine life, also related to nutrient recycling.

Nutrient Cycles in Marine Systems

Include nitrogen and phosphorus cycles crucial for productivity.

High-Nutrient Low-Chlorophyll (HNLC) Regions

Areas with abundant macronutrients but low phytoplankton growth due to iron deficiency.

Iron Fertilization Concept

Geoengineering strategy to enhance phytoplankton blooms by adding iron to HNLC regions.

Microplastics in Marine Food Webs

Higher trophic levels ingest more microplastics through trophic transfer.

Light-Dark Bottle Method Utility

Good for small-scale experiments measuring primary productivity.

Carbon Sequestration

Long-term storage of carbon, crucial for climate mitigation efforts.

Nitrogen Cycle Steps

Includes fixation, nitrification, assimilation, denitrification, and decomposition.

Marine Ecosystem Structure

Today’s ecology may be drastically altered from past generations.

Importance of Marine Biodiversity

Increases overall ecosystem productivity and resilience.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in the tissues of organisms.

Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategies

Include protecting individual species and biodiversity hotspots.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of the ocean caused by CO₂ uptake.

Pollution in Marine Environments

Includes light, oil, nutrients, noise, and microplastics.

Marine Conservation Education

Educating the public and stakeholders on marine biodiversity and conservation.

Zoos & Aquariums Role

In education and conservation efforts for marine species.

Humans & Climate Change Effects

Warming oceans and rising CO₂ levels impact marine ecosystems.

Dead Zone Formation Process

Eutrophication leading to oxygen depletion and fish kills.

Ecological Engineering Concept

Pioneer species modifying the environment to aid other species' establishment.

Phytoplankton Role in Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesize CO₂ providing energy for marine food webs.

Aquaculture Impact

Potential vector for invasive species if not managed carefully.

National Invasive Species Act (1996)

Regulates ballast water discharge to prevent invasions.

Aquatic Ecosystem Collapse Effects

Loss of species and biodiversity due to environmental stressors.

Marine Succession Influence

Pioneer species facilitating the establishment of more complex communities.